JIBC Investigation and Evidence Collection 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a 'crime scene walk-through' before evidence collection begins?
- To collect initial samples before they are disturbed
- To allow media to document the scene accurately
- To orient investigators and identify evidence priorities (Correct answer)
- To confirm the identity of any victims at the scene
Correct answer: To orient investigators and identify evidence priorities
The initial walk-through allows the lead investigator to assess the scene, identify priorities, and develop a systematic collection plan before evidence is disturbed.
Question 2: Under what circumstances can a suspect's statement made without a caution be used in court in Canada?
- Never — all statements require a caution to be admissible
- When the suspect volunteered the statement spontaneously (Correct answer)
- Only if the statement is corroborated by physical evidence
- When the officer had reasonable grounds for the arrest
Correct answer: When the suspect volunteered the statement spontaneously
Spontaneous, voluntary statements made before any questioning or detention may be admissible even without a caution, as the Charter protection applies to detained persons.
Question 3: Which technique involves systematically searching a crime scene by dividing it into quadrants?
- Strip/lane search method
- Zone or quadrant search method (Correct answer)
- Spiral search method
- Link analysis method
Correct answer: Zone or quadrant search method
The zone or quadrant search divides the scene into sections, each assigned to a searcher, ensuring thorough and organized coverage of the entire area.
Question 4: What is the key difference between 'direct evidence' and 'circumstantial evidence'?
- Direct evidence is always physical; circumstantial is always testimonial
- Direct evidence proves a fact without inference; circumstantial requires inference (Correct answer)
- Direct evidence is collected first; circumstantial evidence is found later
- Circumstantial evidence is more reliable than direct evidence in court
Correct answer: Direct evidence proves a fact without inference; circumstantial requires inference
Direct evidence directly proves a fact without requiring inference, while circumstantial evidence requires the trier of fact to draw a logical inference to reach a conclusion.
Question 5: When is it appropriate for an investigator to use a 'Reid Technique' interrogation approach?
- For all witness interviews to establish consistency
- As a primary evidence-gathering tool in Canada
- Increasingly disfavored due to risks of false confessions (Correct answer)
- Only when the suspect has waived their right to counsel
Correct answer: Increasingly disfavored due to risks of false confessions
The Reid Technique is increasingly disfavored in Canadian law enforcement due to documented risks of eliciting false confessions, particularly from vulnerable individuals.
Question 6: What should an investigator do if they discover evidence that appears to weaken their current theory of the crime?
- Document it but focus on evidence supporting the primary theory
- Discard it if it seems inconsistent with known facts
- Document, preserve, and objectively evaluate it like all other evidence (Correct answer)
- Immediately inform the Crown prosecutor before proceeding
Correct answer: Document, preserve, and objectively evaluate it like all other evidence
Investigators must document, preserve, and objectively evaluate all evidence regardless of whether it supports or undermines their current theory, to avoid tunnel vision.
Question 7: In digital forensics, what is 'write-blocking' technology used for?
- Preventing unauthorized personnel from accessing case files
- Stopping a suspect from deleting files during seizure
- Preventing any changes to a digital device during forensic imaging (Correct answer)
- Encrypting evidence files before storage
Correct answer: Preventing any changes to a digital device during forensic imaging
Write-blocking hardware or software prevents any data from being written to a digital storage device during forensic imaging, preserving the original evidence state.
JIBC Investigation and Evidence Collection 4
What is the purpose of a 'crime scene walk-through' before evidence collection begins?